LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers leans over in pain after he was hurt against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on Tuesday. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

OAKLAND — There’s a question that is so intimidating, so unthinkable that it is rarely brought up in the deepest Lakers circles.

What does this team look like without LeBron James?

The Lakers (20-14) were relieved to find out Wednesday morning that their star had no serious damage from an injury he suffered Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors. An MRI confirmed an initial diagnosis of a strained left groin, which the team classified as a day-to-day injury – calming the franchise from its worst fear.

And yet, the team also acknowledged James would not travel to Sacramento for Thursday’s game against the Kings. With a Friday home game against the Clippers also coming up, the possibility exists that the Lakers could miss their MVP-caliber headliner for multiple games – a rare case in James’ 15-year career.

Complicating their possible solutions was the late-breaking news Wednesday night that Rajon Rondo, who played hero in the second half against Golden State, would miss at least the next game with grade 3 sprain on his right ring finger. The team said his status would be updated by Friday, but grade 3 is the most serious degree of sprain, which indicates serious damage to a ligament. Rondo has already missed 17 games with a fracture in the same hand.

Even though it won’t be for as long of a stretch as initially feared, the Lakers will still have to confront the overwhelming question of how to go on without two of their most experienced players including James – for one night at least.

Consider that the Lakers have not played a game this season with fewer than 21 minutes from James. They haven’t had any less than 13 points from him in any contest. In the 1,178 minutes when he’s been on the court, they’ve outscored opponents by 95 points. When he’s been on the bench, the Lakers have been outscored by 19.

James is the focal point of any team he’s playing for: Not just as a scorer, not just as a distributor, but the center of all defensive attention, drawing in opponents with his mere threat. Several times a game, James is apt to go into isolation, force double- and triple-teams with a drive and pass to the open shooter. The same logic applies to fast-breaks, when teams frantically focus on James driving into the lane and tend to forget their other assignments.

You don't need me to tell you that LeBron is the best scorer on the Lakers, but he also commands attention that opens up opportunities for others. Look at this fast break, when four Warriors are focused completely on him, opening up the 3-point look for Kuzma. pic.twitter.com/NF1GOMxKuF

Without him, that facet of offense doesn’t exist for the Lakers: It’s hard to imagine any other player on the roster who can command that level of attention from a defense.

It hurts even more that Rondo (15 points, 10 assists) was a big part of that effort in Oakland, taking over as the chief playmaker in James’ absence. He said once he saw James go down, he shifted his mentality to being more ball-dominant.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, he won’t be able utilize his play-making for the next game and possibly beyond, as they wait to see how much damage he’s taken to his finger. It scuttles Walton’s hope of having either James or Rondo, his two most-experienced floor managers, on the court at all times.

It also means more of a test for the younger Lakers: For Kyle Kuzma, for Brandon Ingram, for Lonzo Ball, for Josh Hart. After spending half of the season trying to adjust to James’ presence, they’ll get an opportunity to take the lead themselves, something Walton said he’s tried to build into the team.

Kuzma has been the most productive of that core in the last 12 games, averaging 21.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in that stretch. While Walton recently called Kuzma a “born scorer” who has thrived while playing alongside James, he’s also unlocked more of his passing ability in the last month, more consciously looking for the open pass.

Kuzma gave voice to a pride in the Lakers locker room on Tuesday night that the roster had managed to withstand the emotional blow of losing James.

“It’s not like we’re panicking cause he’s gone,” he said. “We’re pros too. We’re great players, on our way to trying to be great players. It’s all about that next up mentality and having a will to win.”

The Lakers could also turn to a somewhat unlikely riser in the last week: Ivica Zubac. The Croatian 7-footer has been resurgent since JaVale McGee has been out with pneumonia. In the past three games, all starts, Zubac has been the second-leading scorer on the team (17.7 points per game) with 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots.

Shooting 9 for 10 against the Warriors, Zubac again was able to anchor a starting center spot despite spending much of the year as the third option. He doesn’t intend to waste the opportunity.

“I think I’m doing good,” he said. “It’s not up to me, but I think I deserve some more playing time.”

It remains to be seen if the Lakers can find the assertiveness on the floor they’ll need to win without James. But Tuesday night was as good a start as any – even as they drifted into unknown landscape.

“It’s not just one player on this team, we have a good team,” Ball said. “Obviously we want him back as fast as possible, but however long he misses, if he does miss, we’ve gotta do our thing.”

Kyle Goon covers the Lakers for the Southern California News Group. Before taking his talents to Los Angeles, he worked for The Salt Lake Tribune for eight years, covering everything from high school rodeo to the Utah Jazz. Gregg Popovich once baptized him by fire in a media scrum.

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